A recent development has been the use of Astrium-126 to accelerate neutrons, producing a tighter, more powerful beam. Though on paper, these are referred to as 'tight-beam neutron accelerators', most navies refer to them as Blasters. Of particular note: blasters have much shorter barrels than other weapons, and blasters of greater volume can be installed in turrets as a result. Blasters count as only half their volume when the size limits of turreted weapons are considered. They still occupy their listed volume for every other purpose. Because they are still very new, they have not yet been built in superscalar sizes.
| Blaster | Volume | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2MW | 2m³ | 1d10 |
| 5MW | 15m³ | 2d10 |
| 10MW | 50m³ | 3d10 |
| 20MW | 120m³ | 4d10 |
| 30MW | 220m³ | 5d10 |
| 45MW | 400m³ | 6d10 |
| 60MW | 600m³ | 7d10 |
| 100MW | 1,500m³ | 4d10×2 |
| 121MW | 2,000m³ | 3d10×3 |
| 175MW | 3,000m³ | 5d10×2 |
Blasters represent a significant evolution in neutron weaponry, combining high damage output with greater turret flexibility due to their compact barrel design. Their half-volume counting for turret size limits allows navies to equip ships with heavier, more concentrated firepower without exceeding turret constraints.
While still an emerging technology, blasters are rapidly gaining popularity on frontline warships and advanced privateers alike. Their tight beam makes them effective at delivering devastating damage, while their more compact size eases integration into existing ship designs.
Given their novelty, blasters have yet to be tested in superscalar forms, but future developments may see them become dominant weapons on heavy cruisers and possibly capital ships.